Latest News

WINTER: Fitness training continues for Sussex's squad

21-Nov-2012

Sussex’s players who are continuing their training at Hove this winter have been busy in the gym recently as they gradually build their pre-season training regime.

Many of Sussex’s players are currently dotted around the globe as they further their development away from the UK. Matt Prior and Monty Panesar are of course part of England’s touring party in England, whilst Luke Wright is preparing to return to action in Australia’s Big Bash.

Ben Brown and Joe Gatting are both playing club cricket in Australia whilst Chris Nash, Michael Rippon and Kirk Wernars are getting some time in the middle in South Africa.

And that leaves a handful of the professional playing squad here in Hove. Under the guidance of Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Lee and his team of backroom staff, the focus for the remaining players has been on building strength, speed endurance and speed agility, using the new gym facilities at The PROBIZ County Ground which have built in the ground redevelopment over the past two years.

The players have also been involved in boxing sessions at Cheetah’s Gym in Hove with some of the transferable skills in the sport linking back to cricket.

Nick said, “Up until Christmas the guys will be in the first and second cycle of their General Preparatory Phase. This is a great opportunity to get a high volume of physical training in, without the distraction of match play or intense skills practice.

“The first 8 weeks are focused on building and developing base strength and a good work capacity for robustness across a range of physical competencies. The aim of this training cycle is to establish a strong athletic foundation that will allow the athlete to improve performance and reduce injury risk further down the line.

“For example, the athlete is exposed to a number of training stimuli in varying quantities, such as resistance training, intermittent running, sprint technique, agility drills and postural work to elicit the desired adaptations.”

Take a look at the video above from Sussex TV to see a taste of what the guys have been up to and to hear Will Beer’s thoughts on the most recent fitness training.